tension

Noun
Synonyms: tensenessstresstensitytautnesslatent hostility

WordNet 3.0

Noun (6)

  1. (psychology) a state of mental or emotional strain or suspense“he suffered from fatigue and emotional tension”“stress is a vasoconstrictor”Synonyms: tensenessstress
  2. the physical condition of being stretched or strained“it places great tension on the leg muscles”“he could feel the tenseness of her body”Synonyms: tensitytensenesstautness
  3. a balance between and interplay of opposing elements or tendencies (especially in art or literature)“there is a tension created between narrative time and movie time”“there is a tension between these approaches to understanding history”
  4. (physics) a stress that produces an elongation of an elastic physical body“the direction of maximum tension moves asymptotically toward the direction of the shear”
  5. feelings of hostility that are not manifest“he could sense her latent hostility to him”“the diplomats' first concern was to reduce international tensions”Synonyms: latent hostility
  6. the action of stretching something tight“tension holds the belt in the pulleys”
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Tension \Ten"sion\, n. [L. tensio, from tendere, tensum, to stretch: cf. F. tension. See Tense, a.]

1.The act of stretching or straining; the state of being stretched or strained to stiffness; the state of being bent strained; as, the tension of the muscles, tension of the larynx. [1913 Webster]

2.Fig.: Extreme strain of mind or excitement of feeling; intense effort. [1913 Webster]

3.The degree of stretching to which a wire, cord, piece of timber, or the like, is strained by drawing it in the direction of its length; strain. --Gwilt. [1913 Webster]

4.(Mech.) The force by which a part is pulled when forming part of any system in equilibrium or in motion; as, the tension of a srting supporting a weight equals that weight. [1913 Webster]

5.A device for checking the delivery of the thread in a sewing machine, so as to give the stitch the required degree of tightness. [1913 Webster]

6.(Physics) Expansive force; the force with which the particles of a body, as a gas, tend to recede from each other and occupy a larger space; elastic force; elasticity; as, the tension of vapor; the tension of air. [1913 Webster]

7.(Elec.) The quality in consequence of which an electric charge tends to discharge itself, as into the air by a spark, or to pass from a body of greater to one of less electrical potential. It varies as the quantity of electricity upon a given area. [1913 Webster]

Tension brace, or Tension member (Engin.), a brace or member designed to resist tension, or subjected to tension, in a structure.

Tension rod (Engin.), an iron rod used as a tension member to strengthen timber or metal framework, roofs, or the like. [1913 Webster]

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